It's like riding a bike

Milestones such as learning to walk and talk are fundamental. If your child could not perform these tasks you would address it. (For a more detailed list of developmental stages visit this link)

In addition to these basic milestones, activities like learning to ride a bike are also extremely important to your child's development.

This will probably be the one of the first activities that your child will need to consciously work at over a period of time.
Learning to ride may not come easy, they will need to overcome an element of fear. They may get hurt. They may get discouraged. Overcoming these obstacles and learning how to ride their bike will give your child a great sense of accomplishment and pride. It will also set the foundation for how they deal with obstacles and difficulties later in life.

A learning Opportunity for you
So what is your role in all this? As a parent your job is to recognize risks and mitigate them, Provide support and encouragment, Guide without dictating (probably the hardest element)

So how do you do this? Create a safe environment - Make sure your child has proper safety equipment. At a minimum a helmet, Gloves and pads can also help to prevent unnecessary cuts and scrapes and provide some extra confidence.
Find a generally flat, traffic free area to practice.

Make sure the bike is the right fit for your child - If you are unsure check with your local bike shop but here are some basic pointers
Bikes for children are sized by their wheels: 12”, 16”, 20” and 24”.
Your Child should be able to dismount and comfortably straddle the bike flat footedly.
With a slight lean of the bike, get their bottom back onto the seat, put their foot on the pedal and, when the skill is there, ride away. When the foot is on the pedals there should be a slight bend in the leg that is fully extended. There should be a slight bend at the waist and your child should not have to stretch to reach the handlebars

Be positive and have realistic expectations: Your Child will make mistakes and may not follow your guidance let them find their own way, encourage and congratulate their success's no matter how small.

Know when to call it a day: or Don't beat a dead horse. This is a corollary to the previous paragraph you want to ensure that the experience is positive don't let frustration set in. Try to end on a positive note.

Here are some Links to stories about bike riding that you can read to your child

Mike and the Bike

Amazon Recommendations

Free KFC Chicken Dinner Coupon

Oprah is giving away free KFC grilled chicken dinners.

You must print the coupons today but can use them until 5/19/09.

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090430-tows-kfc-coupon-download

Free from Oprah: 2 piece grilled chicken dinner from KFC with 2 sides and a biscuit!You must print these today only!! You can print 4 of the coupons!! They expire on the 19th! Pass it on... print today only!!

Swine Influenza FAQ

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised it’s pandemic alert to level 5.
This means that the Swine Flu (Influenza Type A H1/N1) is now spreading rapidly in many countries.

According to the WHO’s Director General "This change to a higher phase of alert is a signal to governments, to ministries of health and other ministries, to the pharmaceutical industry and the business community that certain actions should now be undertaken with increased urgency, and at an accelerated pace"

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza
viruses. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine
flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this
transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.


What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and
include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people
have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.
In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection
in people.
Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way
that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through
coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by
touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.


What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of
sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious
food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Avoid close
contact with people who are sick.

What surfaces are most likely to be sources of contamination?
Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and
then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an
infected person move through the air. Germs can be spread when a person touches
respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches their
own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu. There are everyday
actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like
influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
 Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue
in the trash after you use it.
 Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
 Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
 If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or
school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work
or school if ill. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may
prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover
your cough or sneeze if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every
time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water. or
clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. we recommend that when you wash your hands -- with
soap and warm water -- that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not
available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find
them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry.
The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

Does the Flu shot protect me from Swine Flu?
It is not believed that the current seasonal flu shot offers any protection against swine flu,
though it may help to reduce the severity of any infection.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where swine influenza cases have been identified and become ill with
influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or
vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you
are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether
influenza testing or treatment is needed.
If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as
possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.
 Wash hands often when you are sick.
 Cover your mouth and nose with tissue every time you sneeze, blow your nose, or
cough. Do not use handkerchiefs. Put used tissues into the nearest trash can.
 If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve to cover your mouth and nose. Do not use
your bare hands.
 Always wash your hands after sneezing, blowing your nose, or coughing, or after
touching used tissues.
 When visiting your doctor or clinic, notify the receptionist if you have a fever with
cough or rash. They may ask you to wear a mask or wait in a separate area.
 Stay home if you have a cough and fever. Keep away from family members that are
very young, very old, or have a serious disease or weak immune system.
 Because cold viruses can survive for hours outside the body, cleaning surfaces with a
virus-killing disinfectant (such as a 1 part household bleach to nine parts water
solution) might help prevent spread of infection.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical
care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
 Fast breathing or trouble breathing
 Bluish skin color
 Not drinking enough fluids
 Not waking up or not interacting
 Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
 Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
 Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
 Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
 Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
 Sudden dizziness
 Confusion
 Severe or persistent vomiting

Can I get swine influenza from eating or preparing pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from
eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Tips for Saving Money

I previously posted an article Five sites that will save you money.

These sites (especially Money Saving Mom) Do more than provide tips and coupons they inspire and empower you to get what you need at the best price.

The other day at our local supermarket I was able to buy food for the entire week for $61 the original price before coupons and card was over $81.

If your thinking I purchased a bunch of no-frills products and spent hours cutting coupons think again.

Before going to the store I jotted down what I needed, then I reviewed the stores weekly circular and went through the coupon section of the Sunday paper.

All of this took about 10 minutes.
Ten Minutes to Save over twenty dollars (not a bad trade-off)

Next Steps:

Were you recently able to get some great deals and save some money please share your experience with us.

Please checkout our list of Money Saving websites and If you have a website that you want to share please add it in our comments section

Thank You

Swine Flu - What you Need to know

As of 26th April 2009, 20 cases have been confirmed of people contracting respiratory illness Swine Influenza (Swine Flu) in the U.S. All the cases so far have been associated with the mild illness and have recovered.

The situation in Mexico is less clear but the media has reported 1324 cases of respiratory illness resulting in 81 deaths (at least 18 of these have been confirmed as Swine influenza A/H1N1, and more than half of those are genetically identical to the Swine influenza A/H1N1 viruses), there are suspected cases reported from New Zealand, Spain, France, and Israel - all involving travellers returning from Mexico.

What is it?
The Swine influenza A/H1N1 virus is associated with this outbreak appears to be a new virus derived from avian, human, and swine virus sources. So far it has been sensitive to the newer antiviral drugs oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®).

Recommendations
Influenza is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing. Close attention to personal hygiene and respiratory etiquette will help prevent catching and spreading influenza:

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.


• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully Maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people


• If you travel to/from affected areas, you are advised to consult a doctor immediately if you develop flu-like symptoms

For more health information visit one of the following websites:
CDC (US) - http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
WHO - Swine Influenza - http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

10 Tips to Save the Earths Resources, and your Money and Time

There are little things you can do every day to help reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact on the environment. Taking care of the Earth is not just a responsibility -- it's a privilege.
There are little things you can do every day to help reduce greenhouse gases and make a less harmful impact on the environment. Check out 10 things you can do to help save the Earth.
1. Pay attention to how you use water. The little things can make a big difference. Every time you turn off the water while you're brushing your teeth, you're doing something good. Got a leaky toilet? You might be wasting 200 gallons of water a day. Try drinking tap water instead of bottled water, so you aren't wasting all that packaging as well. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can.

2. Leave your car at home. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you'll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year. Combine your errands -- hit the post office, grocery store and shoe repair place in one trip. It will save you gas and time.

3. Walk or ride your bike to work, school and anywhere you can. You can reduce greenhouse gases while burning some calories and improving your health. If you can't walk or bike, use mass transit or carpool. Every car not on the road makes a difference.

4. Recycle. You can help reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. If you're trying to choose between two products, pick the one with the least packaging. If an office building of 7,000 workers recycled all of its office paper waste for a year, it would be the equivalent of taking almost 400 cars off the road.

5. Compost. Think about how much trash you make in a year. Reducing the amount of solid waste you produce in a year means taking up less space in landfills, so your tax dollars can work somewhere else. Plus, compost makes a great natural fertilizer. Composting is easier than you think.

6. Change your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) last 10 times longer than a standard bulb and use at least two-thirds less energy. If you're shopping for new appliances or even home electronics, look for ENERGY STAR products, which have met EPA and U.S. Department of Energy guidelines for energy efficiency. In 2006, the ENERGY STAR program saved energy equivalent to taking 25 million cars off the road and saved Americans $14 billion in utility costs.

7. Make your home more energy efficient (and save money). Clean your air filters so your system doesn't have to work overtime. Get a programmable thermostat so you aren't wasting energy when you aren't home. When you go to bed, reduce the thermostat setting -- you won't miss those extra degrees of heat or air conditioning while you're asleep.

8. Maintain your car. Underinflated tires decrease fuel economy by up to three percent and lead to increased pollution and higher greenhouse gas emissions. Underinflation also increases tire wear, so it will save you money in the long run if you're good about checking your tire pressure.

9. Drive smarter. Slow down -- driving 60 miles per hour instead of 70 mph on the highway will save you up 4 miles per gallon. Accelerating and braking too hard can actually reduce your fuel economy, so take it easy on the brakes and gas pedal.

10. Turn off lights when you're not in the room and unplug appliances when you're not using them. It only takes a second to be environmentally conscious.

Party for the Planet 2009

This weekend get out to Van Suan Park for a Party for the Planet

Bergen County Zoo - Celebrate Earth Day at the Bergen County Zoo on Saturday, April 25th and join our Party for the Planet! Special activities and displays will be at the zoo throughout the day. Learn what the zoo and other organizations are doing to help save the planet, and learn how you can help, too! Party for the Planet will be held from 10 am - 4:00 pm, and zoo admission is free.

Earth Day 2009

Last year we created a series of articles leading up to Earth Day

On earth day this year Disney will release it's first film in the Disney Nature series.


Earth is narrated by James Earl Jones ("The Voice") tells the story of the animal families and their journey across our planet.

More Information about the Movie can be found at: http://disney.go.com/disneynature/

Movie Trailer